It’s a seller’s market across much of the U.S. thanks to brisk growth in home prices and low for-sale inventory in many areas. While that’s great news for homeowners who want to enjoy the financial benefits of increasing equity—such as refinancing to lower mortgage payments or even take out cash—it’s bad news for buyers, many of whom are afraid to make the largest investment of their lives at what could be the apex of another real estate bubble.
It’s a scary feeling when your credit card is stolen. Think about how much could go wrong. A thief now has the opportunity to charge whatever they want on your card and leave you responsible for footing the bill. It’s a thief’s dream, but a consumer’s worst nightmare.
As soon as you realize your credit card is missing, there are a few actions you should take immediately to limit your liability from any unauthorized purchases that may result from your card falling into the hands of the wrong person.
Take a peek at the average U.S. household and you’re likely to find a beloved pet at its center. According to the most recent American Pet Products Association (APPA) National Pet Owners Survey, the nation was home to 84.6 million pet-owning families in 2016. Pet owners spent more than $66 billion dollars on their pets that year and the APPA forecasts they’ll spend even more ($69 billion to be exact) on furry family members by the end of 2017.
‘Tis the season for charitable giving, and Americans are increasingly donating. According to the Giving USA Foundation, individuals, estates, foundations, and corporations across the nation contributed an estimated $390.05 billion to U.S. charities in 2016, an increase of 2.7 percent in current dollars from the prior year. Giving by individuals increased nearly 4 percent, accounting for much of the rise in total donations.
Applying for a credit card isn’t a difficult process. The major credit card issuers have online applications that can sometimes inform you within minutes if you’ve been approved for the card. But there are some factors to keep in mind when applying to ensure that your credit score doesn’t suffer unnecessarily.
When it comes to your money, who wouldn’t want to save more, spend less and get the very best deal when it comes to banking, investing, retirement and financial services? MoneyRates is a personal finance wonderland, offering reviews, comparison tools, advice and more, with the goal of maximizing a user’s financial potential.
What have you taught your children about credit? Even if you think you have never given them a lesson, you probably have. The way you spend your money, talk about money and live your life in general are absorbed by your little ones. Has your child ever asked you for something and you had to tell them you could not currently afford it. They might even suggest using a credit card as they have likely seen them used to buy things. Your child may be under the impression that a credit card is like free money if you haven’t explained how they work.
With the holidays upon us, it’s time to not only think about food, fun and festivities, but finances, as well. And thanks to credit unions like GTE Financial, consumers have access to top-notch savings products, credit cards, financial information and more. The Tampa, Florida-based company has been putting personal prosperity over corporate profits since 1935.
According to a recent survey by the National Retail Federation, American consumers will shell out an average of $967.13 towards holiday gifts this year—an amount that can put a strain on any household budget. However, if they use the Ebates online shopping portal to spend those dollars at their favorite stores, they can earn some of that cash back in the form of a Big Fat Check.
It seems like every few months we’re hearing about a new data breach that has compromised our personal information. The Equifax breach from a few years ago, for example, affected nearly half the United States population.
Even though we’d like to think our information is secure, vigilance is crucial. It’s important that you always have a good understanding of what’s on your credit report.
Capital One is making it easy for everyone to stay in the know with CreditWise from Capital One. This service, which is included for free with every Capital One card, you’ll be notified if there are any changes to your credit report. It’s an easy and free way to keep your credit safe.
Tired of the same old investment choices when it comes to your retirement? Consider a self-directed Individual Retirement Account (IRA), administered by The Entrust Group, the only national network of local branded offices providing account administration and education services for self-directed retirement plans.
It’s no secret that education is the key to a successful career and a solid financial future. So why not start early, making sure your children take advantage of every learning opportunity available to them?
Shmoop is a website that offers over 400 online courses and over a half million pieces of original content, designed to help students of all ages enhance their learning capabilities in every subject imaginable.
You’ve probably heard about charge cards and
Let’s explore the differences and similarities between charge cards and credit cards.
If you’re like most consumers, the biggest single investment you will make in your lifetime is the purchase of a home. According to Zillow, a leading real estate and rental marketplace, the median U.S. residential property was worth $202,700 in September—and values are likely to rise. U.S. home prices have increased nearly seven percent over the last year, and Zillow predicts they will gain another three percent or more in the next 12 months.
Have you ever wondered what credit card APRs are? APR stands for annual percentage rate. Understanding the mathematics behind that rate will help illustrate how dangerous and expensive credit card debt can be. It’ll also give you extra motivation to pay off your credit card balances in full every month so you don’t have to worry about interest.
The goal of investing is to make money. But what if you could invest, make money and help improve the global community at the same time? That’s where sustainable investing and The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment (US SIF), a Washington, DC-based organization tasked with advancing sustainable, responsible and impact investing across all asset classes.
The organization’s mission is to rapidly shift investment practices toward sustainability, focusing on long-term investment and the generation of positive social and environmental impacts. Members include a wide range of organizations, including investment management and advisory firms, mutual fund companies, broker-dealers, non-profits and pension funds.
Planning for retirement is not an easy task. With jobs, bills, kids, mortgages and other financial commitments, the prospect of putting aside money for use years down the road can seem impractical.
With proper planning though and smart financial decisions, the road to securing a happy retirement does not have to be rocky, especially for working women who sometimes get lost in the financial shuffle.
One of the most cost-effective ways to pay down credit card debt is to transfer the balance to a low interest credit card, also known as a
Consumers who are merely paying the minimum payment on their credit card balances are on the road to a lifetime of debt. The minimum payment is usually so low, that it keeps consumers in debt for decades.
When it comes to your money and finances, nobody wants to pay more taxes to Uncle Sam. That’s why now is a critical time to check up on your tax health, with the end of the year approaching and Congress considering an overhaul of the nation’s tax code.
One of the ways you can assess your tax situation is through the help of an agent. James Adelman is an agent in Tulsa and the president of the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA). He spoke to RewardExpert about how working with an enrolled agent can benefit you.
It’s no secret that holiday shopping can do some damage to your bottom line. Unless you create a gift-giving budget based on what you can reasonably afford—and commit to sticking to it—it’s all too easy to run up your credit card balances and end the year in unexpected debt. However, there’s a sneakier financial danger you may not have considered. It’s known as identity theft, and unless you take steps to protect yourself, you may be putting your financial future at risk with every online purchase.
